Effects of tampon components on growth and dissemination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Six components used in vaginal tampons were tested for their effects on a strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from a patient with disseminated infection. Tampon components containing carboxymethyl cellulose or its derivative prolonged the in-vitro survival of gonococci and, when injected with mucin into mice, significantly (P less than 0.0001) increased the dissemination of gonococci from the peritoneal cavity. In contrast, a component extracted from rayon tampons reduced in-vitro survival and appeared to suppress gonococcal dissemination in mice. Since tampons are used by a large number of women at a time when the risk of developing complications from venereal infections are increased, their effects on potential urogenital pathogens warrant further study.
D000818:Animals; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D052576:Menstrual Hygiene Products; D051379:Mice; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control; D013784:Textiles
D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium